Apparatus and method for manufacturing quantum dot

Abstract

Disclosed is a technique of producing that a technique of producing quantum dots that are nano-size semiconducting crystals. An apparatus of producing quantum dots includes a mixer to mix different kinds of precursor solutions uniformly in a channel by diverging each precursor solution into a plurality of micro streams and joining the diverging micro streams individually with different kinds of micro streams, and a heating furnace to pass the precursor mixture solution discharged from the mixer therethrough to create and grow quantum dot nucleuses, thus producing quantum dots. The mixer may further include a heating unit allowing temperature adjustment. In addition, a buffer which is maintained at a relatively low-temperature is provided between the mixer and the heating furnace in order to prevent additional nucleation. Accordingly, quantum dots may be produced even at a high flow rate, which leads to mass-production of quantum dots.

1. An apparatus of producing quantum dots, comprising:
 at least one pump to inject a plurality of precursor solutions in which different kinds of precursors are dissolved at a predetermined flow rate; 
 a micro mixer in which a plurality of precursor solutions are mixed in such a manner that a plurality of paths diverge from each of a plurality of input ports to which the precursor solutions are respectively supplied, the diverging paths joining with other paths diverging from the other one of the input ports, and then the joined paths are collected into an output port; and 
 a heating furnace to pass the precursor mixture solution therethrough to create and grow quantum dot nucleuses, thus producing quantum dots. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mixer heating unit surrounding the micro mixer to heat the micro mixer to a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a buffer to provide a relatively low-temperature condition between the mixer heating furnace and the heating furnace. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the heating furnace acts as the mixer heating unit and the micro mixer is positioned in the heating furnace. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling unit to quickly cool a solution discharged from the heating furnace. 
     
     
       6. A method of producing quantum dots, comprising:
 pumping a plurality of precursor solutions in which different kinds of precursors are dissolved to supply each precursor solution at a predetermined flow rate and at a constant speed; 
 mixing the plurality of precursor solutions by diverging each precursor solution into a plurality of micro streams, joining each diverging micro stream to a micro stream diverging from another precursor solution and then collecting the joining streams; and 
 heating the precursor mixture solution to a predetermined temperature to create and grow quantum dot nucleuses, thus producing quantum dots. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mixing of the precursor solutions is performed while heating the precursor solutions to a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising passing the precursor mixture solution through a relatively low-temperature area, between the mixing of the precursor solutions and the heating of the precursor mixture solution. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , after the heating of the precursor mixture solution, further comprising quickly cooling the heated solution.